"Kate! I have an interview with Grey Enterprise Holding tomorrow!"I yelled excited.
Kate looks at me horrified. Then I realized… GEH belongs to Christian Grey. I slump on the couch.
"Are you going to work for HIM?"
"Oh dear… Kate… I applied for the job before I knew Christian." A tear escapes from my eyes. My bank balance is down to zero and Kate is kind enough to support me. I can't be living out of her. No other companies have called me. I can't depend on my parents… Mom has Bob and dad is living on his own.
"Don't worry… I don't think Christian has anything to do with this. Why not you just attend the interview and see what happens?" Kate raises her right brows.
I look up at Kate, "He looks scary. I am not sure if I can work for him. "
"Maybe you will be in a different department. You might not work directly with him. Try.. but if you are not happy, then quit! I will help you until you get a job. "
I know Kate is trying to be encouraging and I know she will be there for me. At the same time, I need to be on my own foot. I will attend the interview. I don't what to hope though.
"Ms Steele, we are happy to offer you the position. When can you start?" the HR manager asks me. She seems to be a nice lady.
"I can start tomorrow. "
"See you tomorrow at 8.30 Ms Steele. Your contract will be ready. Please meet me at my office to sign it and I will take you to your office. The filing room is located at 20th floor. You will be stationed there."
"Thank you Ms Brandon. See you tomorrow."
I feel exceptionally confident thanks to Kate's suit. She has lend me a white blouse, navy lace pencil skirt, navy pumps and a white bag. I am practically living out of Kate. I am lucky to have her as a friend. Else I would have been doomed.
I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed Kate. She answers on the second ring, "Yes? Did you get it?"
"Yess!" I squealed.
"Meet me outside my office. We are going lunch."
"See you. I will call you once I am there."
"Here you go Ana. "
Kate is standing at my room door holding a big pile of clothes. I look at her quizzically.
"Take these. Use until you get your own work clothes. You can't be wearing jeans to work."
Kate drops the pile on my bed and started heading out. "Kate!" she stops and turn around.
"You can't do this? Even on loan, this is way too much. You also need clothes for work" I told her my thoughts.
"I have clothes.. enough clothes. Take this."
Half an hour later, I am done with sorting my wardrobe. I am starting work tomorrow at GEH. I wonder how I am going to cope.
"Good morning Ms Brandon" I greet the HR manager at 8.25 morning.
"Good morning Ms Steele. You are early. Come please have a seat." She produces a file and place it opposite me.
"Your contract. Please go through. "
I started reading the contract and my eyes almost popped out at the allowance section. Clothing allowance, phone allowance, telephone allowance and accommodation allowance … close to my monthly salary.
I signed the contract and Ms Brendon produces an I Phone…new. Still in package.
"This is for you. Our IT personnel will set up this phone for you at 9.15 and it will be linked to your email. This is to ensure that you will not miss any important emails."
I am puzzled. What kind of important email can an admin assistant miss? Files to be retrieved on Sunday? And my thoughts went to Christian. I wonder if he knows I am here.
"Thank you Ms Brandon." I said quietly.
"Ms Brown will take you to your seat. Ms Parker, Mr Grey's assistant will meet you at your desk to explain your job. Any question?"
"Nothing so far. Thank you."
After showing me my seat, Ms Brown left. Ms Parker walks in smiling and holding a folder.
"Good Morning Ms Steele. I am Andrea. Mr Grey's secretary. I was minding this job while HR found a replacement."
"Good morning Andrea. Please call me Ana."
She smiles kindly and started explaining my job. It's very simple. I will receive request for files and I have to get it ready for the requester to collect in 10 minutes. Besides that I will be receiving documents for filing from various departments and I have to file it and keep all files up to date. I might need to assist Andrea if required. Oh Gosh! It means Christian's office.
"I will take you to Mr Grey's office tomorrow. He is away today for a meeting. If you have any question or if you need any help, call my extension."
"Thank you Andrea."
I place my jacket over my chair and purse in a drawer. I have a job and I am happy. I looked around and the filing system is good. Moments later, a blond guy walks in smiling.
"Hi… I am the IT guy… Mark. I am here to setup your phone and brief you on your email account and other IT stuff.
30 minutes later, my phone is linked to my inbox and my desk top is ready. There is a computerized system to track all files.
I got the hang of my job by end of the day. No doubt it's a bit bored sitting alone in the filing room; I don't have much time to spare. This room has files for all the departments in the company and there is constant request and filing to be done.
I left at 5.30 and most of the staff also leaves at that time.
At home, I started preparing dinner as Kate is stuck with a report.
"How was it?!" was Kate's first question.
"Good I think?" I have nothing to report… yet!
"Did you see him?"
"No.. He was not in. I am one floor below him and I am supposed to assist his secretary if required." I smirk.
"So you will be working with him?" Kate is surprised.
"I don't know… look at this!" I flash my i-phone.
"You bought a new phone?"
"No.. company phone. "
"Wow!" and she has nothing to say.